Unable to give up on Isis, because she wouldnevergive up on me, I jerked violently in Hannes’ hold, kicking into the air wildly.
The others all rushed toward me, to help contain me. Too freaking bad. My foot connected with someone’s groin, and the man they called Bjørn gripped himself, falling on his knees before tipping sideways on the grass, his face hidden under the large hood.
“Bloody hell!” he coughed. “She’s feisty, this one.”
“Get your hands off me. Isis needs me!” My next kick snapped D’s face to the side, and he cradled his nose, blood instantly seeping through his fingers.
“I’m so sorry, girl. I promise we are not the enemy here, but we can’t let you go, or theywillkill you.” Vanessa moved me faster than I expected, successfully capturing my legs in a freakishly strong grip.
In the midst of struggling to calm, reeling with fear for Isis, and not being able to fully process what was happening, I prayed to the Goddess to protect Isis. I knew she was a survivor, a self-made Alpha, and wouldn’t go down without a fight, but it still killed me that I didn’t know where she was or what had happened to her.
Please, Moon Goddess, help her. I can’t lose Isis too…
Tears stung my eyes as I looked into Vanessa’s, the truth in her words beating my will into submission until the fight slowly died inside me. Regardless of how messed up things had always been, theShadow Bornwere my family, the only family I had ever known. Still, Vanessa was right. If the Hunters found me, they would not hesitate to kill me… it was my uncle’s command after all.
I shut my eyes fiercely, stopping the tears wanting to escape.
“Forgive me, but we need to get out of here,now.” Dante’s soothing voice reached me, calling my attention to him. His pained green eyes held mine as he cradled my cheek. “Dormire, Cuore mio…”
Strange tingles suddenly surged from his touch, spreading through every inch of me. Soon, drowsiness crawled over my body, capturing me in its sweet sleep until only darkness surrounded me.
Sounds like I had never heard in the mountain, made their way into my ears as sleep leisurely left my being this time.
Blaring horns burst through the air, accompanied by a multitude of hurried steps against a hard ground, rustling bags, chatting voices, and even the playful banter and laughter of small children. Calm waters also seemed to churn in the distance, even ringing, the mishmash offered by the chaotic yet ecstatic atmosphere bringing me closer to the light.
Unlike the last time I awoke from sleep, my senses were sharp, grounded, and no tiredness was left behind on me.
The softest sensation ever wrapped my body like a giant hug, and I opened my eyes to find I was swaddled in what appeared to be layers upon layers of fluffy fabric. Warm, soft, silky fabric. Shifting my gaze, I found my hand happily resting on the pillow next to me, which just like the one under my head, might as well be made of feathers. I couldn’t help but caress the pillowcase, enjoying its luxurious feel. I had never felt anything like it.
Turning on the mattress that might be an actual cloud, I began to inspect my new surroundings. The huge bed beneath me was a far cry from my twin-sized one with a flimsy sheet and a flattened pillow that had definitely seen better years. Its pillowy top molded to my body with every movement, almost making me want to cuddle up beneath the warm blankets and never get up again.
Unfortunately, I had to do it. I needed to face the reality of what happened and figure out not only where the strange Supernaturals had brought me, but also, find a way to escape.
As I awoke this time around, I remembered everything right away. No confusion clung to my mind, no lethargy, just clear,crisp memories of the worst day of my life. The day when the only pack I had ever called family turned on me.
“Kill her!”
My uncle’s voice still reverberated in my ears, and I suddenly found it difficult to breathe.
The image of Ryker’s wolf lunging at me at his Alpha’s command, aftereverythingwe’d shared, ripped my heart in a way I suspected would never mend. Each growl, each stalking stride he made toward me with glowing eyes filled with rage, contrasted harshly with the way his arms had wrapped around me a million times. The way his lips used to claim mine—so caringly, so possessively, like I was the only thing he would ever need to survive.
For so long, the only thing I’d truly longed for had been to belong. To show my uncle, the only true family I had left, that I was worthy of his love. To show Ryker and the pack that I could be someone…
Now, I was nothing.
Sitting up, my hands flew to my face as what felt like acid began to inundate my eyes, fingers trembling against my eyelids in an attempt to keep the pain at bay, but I failed. Treacherous tears fell from my eyes, the implacable emotion that accompanied them scorching its way up my throat in the process. My shaking hands curled around the soft fabric that covered my body, gripping it tightly as I held on, and for the first time in my life, true hate filled me.
I hated my uncle for never really caring about me, while still making me believe that one day I could earn his love.
I hated Ryker for turning against everything we had once promised to each other. For deceiving me so easily and treating me like I wasn’t worth his respect. For not trying to fight his wolf’s instincts or his Alpha’s command to end my life.
I hated myself for believing them…
The worst part was that by taking me from the mountain against my will, the strangers had forced me to leave Isis behind, and now there was no way of knowing if she was dead or alive. The wild rushing of the river as her wolf plunged into its waters with Ryker’s replayed before my eyes, their struggling sounds ringing in my ears. I shut my eyes fiercely, attempting to breathe.
I hated the strangers too.
Agony tore through my soul at the mere thought of Isis’ life being lost because of me, of her sacrifice to save me… because I wasn’t worth her life.
